The 26-year-old Stephens was in fine form during their 1-0 Nedbank Cup last 16 victory over Orlando Pirates in a cold and wet Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, coming up trumps whenever he was called upon.
Stephens’ commitment late in the game to deny Pirates’ Bernard Morrison not only meant that McCarthy got the better of a Soweto giant, but brought him quite a few bruises on his hip.
“It’s really a privilege to be entrusted with the number one goalkeeper jersey, hence I want to do nothing more than to repay the coach by keeping a clean sheet. He deserves all the credit.
“We are prepared to die for coach Benni on the field. Just getting selected is a big achievement as we have a quality squad with good experienced players.
“I think keeping clean sheets for me is a bonus and it also help to the team’s record. So I’m chuffed to contribute and to add value to the team,” said the former Moroka Swallows and AmaZulu shot-stopper.
City turn their attentions to the CAF Confederations Cup when they host Costa Do Sol in their second leg tie on Sunday at Athlone Stadium (16h00) with a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Mozambique.
Stephens maintains that Citizens are not taking this competition lightly and that they are gunning for glory on the African continent.
“We’re actually quite enjoying our adventure in Africa and we are holding our own thus far,” Stephens said.
“The whole experience has been good and we are also thriving on the unexpected element and what the competition has to offer. This competition is also new to our coach and he too deserves credit for the way he has been managing us in the competition with his squad rotation to ensure he gets the best out of us,” Stephens concluded.